The main endpoint will be the percentage of patients with improvement in alkaline phosphatase to less than 1.5 times normal over one year and the percentage of patients with a reduction in their Mayo Risk Score over one year. [ Time Frame: 1 year ] [ Designated as safety issue: Yes ]

Secondary Outcome Measures:

Effects of UDCA & budesonide on serum levels of alk phos, AST, total bilirubin, albumin, and prothrombin time, Mayo risk score and toxicity and tolerability of the budesonide/UDCA regimen, including effects on bone density. [ Time Frame: 1 year ] [ Designated as safety issue: Yes ]

Pilot Study of Budesonide for Primary Biliary Cirrhosis with overlap features of Autoimmune Hepatitis Primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) is a chronic liver disease of unknown cause that may result in inflammation and destruction of the bile ducts inside the liver. Over time, cirrhosis and complications of liver failure may develop. Although treatment with ursodiol has been association with a reduction in liver enzymes (blood tests) and a reduction in the progression of the disease, some patients do not respond to ursodiol therapy. Patients with overlap features of Autoimmune Hepatitis (AIH) appear to be at higher risk of developing complications of disease even when on ursodiol. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effects and safety of Budesonide in PBC with overlap features of AIH. Budesonide has unique effects on the immune system that may be helpful in the treatment of the disease.

Eligible participants will include those patients with a diagnosis of PBC with overlap features of AIH and in whom liver enzymes have not sufficiently improved with ursodiol therapy (the alkaline phosphatase is not less than twice upper normal). At entry all patients will have a history and physical examination, blood tests, bone densitometry and complete quality of life questionnaires. Patients will be prescribed Budesonide 9 mg to take daily for one year in addition to the ursodiol. The medication can be taken with or without food. Blood tests and symptoms diaries will be completed every 3 months. Patients will be contacted by phone to assess tolerance of the medication and any new health problems. At one year, patients will return for a history and physical and repeat blood tests and bone densitometry. Possible side-effects include bone mass loss (bone thinning), diarrhea, indigestion, nausea, joint pains, dizziness, headaches, weight gain and Cushing's syndrome. Other side-effects are possible. The medication and the tests will be billed to the patient or patient's insurance.

Eligibility

Ages Eligible for Study:

21 Years to 75 Years

Genders Eligible for Study:

Both

Accepts Healthy Volunteers:

No

Criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

Chronic cholestatic liver disease for greater than 6 months with alkaline phosphatase levels greater than 2 times the upper limit of normal.

Positive AMA titer 1:40 or AMA > 1.0 U.

Liver histology in the past (available for review) with features consistent with or diagnostic of PBC

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Please refer to this study by its ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT00587119